Pharming, pronounced “farming,” is a cyberattack that redirects you to a fake website without your knowledge. The goal is to trick you into entering personal or financial information.
Attackers copy the look and content of a real website, then change DNS (Domain Name System) records on a server or on your device. When this happens, you type the correct website address, but your browser loads the fake version instead. You will not see warning signs because the site looks familiar.
A common example is a fake banking site. If DNS records are altered, you might open your bank’s login page and see a page that looks normal. The fake site can collect usernames, passwords, and financial details. Unlike phishing emails that trick you into clicking a link, pharming redirects you silently.
Financial websites use security checks such as known images, security questions, or shared secrets. Confirm these security checks appear correctly every time you sign in. If anything looks different, stop and contact your financial institution.
Additional Support
If you experience sign-in or TRU account-related issues, contact the TRU IT Service Desk:
📧 itservicedesk@tru.ca
🔗 https://tru.ca/itsportal
📞 1-250-852-6800
📞 1-888-852-8533 (Toll-Free Canada/US)